Photo Credit: Exploreandmore.org
Science Matters…
In “Science: A Solid Foundation For Life” I pointed out that we should teach early elementary school children science because:
- It encourages curiosity.
- It introduces technologies.
- It improves critical thinking and problem solving.
- It incorporates reading, writing, and mathematics.
That last point is so important because reading proficiency is a vital skill both inside the classroom and out in the read world. Recreational reading reinforces literacy skills and assists with reading comprehension.
…And So Does Reading
Science encompasses such a breadth of knowledge that finding science-related books for curious kids is easy. Whether your child or student is into animals, weather, space, or beyond, here are several fun reads to inspire a love of science:
- “Baby University ABC’s Board Book Set: Four Alphabet Board Books for Toddlers” by Chris Ferrie teaches the ABC’s of Space, Mathematics, Physics, and Science to babies and infants using colorful, simple introductions.
- “There’s No Place Like Space” by Tish Rabe, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz, is from the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library and explores our solar system with the Cat in the Hat and Thing One and Thing Two! (Ages 4-8.)
- “Human Body Activity Book for Kids: Hands-On Fun for Grades K-3” by Katie Stokes provides 30 on-the-page activities and hands-on experiments to reveal just how awesome the human body is. (Ages 4-8.)
- “Inside Your Outside: All About the Human Body” by Tish Rabe, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz is another story from the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library that explores the human body. (Ages 4-8.)
- “Ada Twist, Scientist” by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts, promotes STEM and female scientists, and highlights the importance of asking “Why?”
- “Awesome Science Experiments for Kids: 100+ Fun STEM / STEAM Projects and Why They Work” by Crystal Chatterton is filled with super fun experiments to get kids excited about science. (Ages 5-10.)
- “The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin (Amazing Scientists)” by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Rieley, is about a real-life autistic scientist who invented groundbreaking improvements for farms around the world. (Ages 5-10.)
- “National Geographic Kids Everything Series.” Dinosaurs. Animals. Space. Sports. Weather. These bright, bold books are packed with photos and facts kids will love to share. (Ages 8-12.) Browse at PenguinRandomHouse.com.
When Reading Misses The Mark, Try Hands-On Learning
Not every child will get excited about science through books alone. Sometimes you need a helping hand. Like one of these incredible science centers for kids:
Explore & More | Buffalo, NY
The mission of Explore & More is to provide the best-in-class play experiences where young children can explore, learn, and develop together. Visit exploreandmore.org.
The Strong National Museum of Play | Rochester, NY
Read my blog entry about this amazing place here.
Mad Science of Western New York | Rochester, NY
Hosting a birthday party? Mad Science of Western New York provides innovative, hands-on children’s science programs to inspire a love for science, technology, engineering, and math at a young age. Visit wny.madscience.org.